Jan. 3, 2012
 
Ohio State crushes Huskers in 71-40 game
 
Columbus, Ohio. — Jared Sullinger's 19 points and 12 rebounds paced three Buckeyes in double figures, as No. 6 Ohio State posted a 71-40 victory over Nebraska Tuesday night.

The Huskers (8-6, 0-3 Big Ten) struggled offensively, shooting 30.8 percent against a Buckeye squad that was coming off a loss to Indiana on Saturday night en route to matching its offensive low for the season.

Sullinger, the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year, hit 8-of-13 shots from the floor, as Ohio State (14-2, 2-1 Big Ten) shot 54 percent from the floor. Deshaun Thomas and William Buford added 15 and 13 points, respectively, as the Buckeyes won their 35th consecutive home game at Value City Arena.

Toney McCray led Nebraska with 13 points, as three Huskers finished in double figures. Brandon Richardson had 11 points and a career-high seven steals, while Bo Spencer finished with 10 points in a losing effort.

The Huskers, who were out-rebounded 44-21, could not withstand a blistering offensive pace by Ohio State, as the Buckeyes shot 68 percent in the first half.

Nebraska took an early lead on a Bo Spencer layup after a Richardson steal, but the Buckeyes hit five of their first six shots and went on a 17-2 run to take a commanding 13-point lead. Thomas and William combined for 10 of the 17 points in the early Buckeye spurt.

McCray then helped NU trim the lead, scoring six of his nine first half points to pull the Huskers within 21-11 and Nebraska was within 23-13 after a Corey Hilliard Jr. driving layup, but Thomas' 3-point play started a 12-2 Buckeye run as Ohio State built a 35-15 lead after Aaron Craft's jumper.

Nebraska was within 39-20 after Brandon Richardson's 3-point play, but Sullinger, who was 5-of-6 from the floor in the first half, hit a jumper and then beat the first half buzzer with a 3-pointer to give OSU a 44-20 lead

Richardson got the Huskers off to a good start as his 3-point play and 3-pointer pulled the Huskers within 51-28, but two straight Sullinger baskets quickly pushed the lead back to 27 points with 15:26 remaining and the Buckeyes cruised from there.

The Huskers return to the road on Saturday afternoon, as Nebraska faces Illinois. Tipoff is set for Noon and the game will be carried on the Husker Sports Network and televised on BTN.

Notes

*-Toney McCray finished with 13 points, his fifth consecutive game in double figures. It is the first time in his career he has had five straight games in double figures.

*-Brandon Richardson had a career high seven steals, which is one off of Nebraska's single-game record

*-Nebraska's 40 points and 21 rebounds were both season lows.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.